June 2004

“Irish South and West welcome outcome of the Irish Box Negotiations”

The Irish South & West Fishermens Organisation have given a guarded welcome to yesterdays final agreement on the Irish Box issue.The negotiations, which lasted in excess of twenty months, have resulted in a smaller Irish box off the west and South-West coasts of Ireland. There will be no increased fishing activity of foreign fleets in this area.

Jason Whooley, Manager stated "eighteen months ago we were faced with a Legal Opinion from the European Commission which effectively eliminated the very existence of the Irish Box. Naturally, this would have had disastrous consequences. From that doomsday scenario we have now secured a smaller Irish Box, which safeguards the future of a biological area off the south and west coast. That was our target and as far as we are concerned that element of the negotiations is a complete success. In the waters outside of the new box there is an increase in fishing effort levels for different Member States including the Irish. Prior to the negotiations this increase in effort was a source of concern for the Irish fishing industry however, during the talks yesterday the Commission verified that these effort levels were accurate, therefore we have no choice but to accept them, despite our reservations".

Mr. Whooley added "although it’s not the perfect result, given where we were eighteen months ago, I think the deal is a successful outcome for our fishermen".